European Ombudsman Emily O'Reilly holds a press conference in Athens, Greece, on Feb. 21, 2018, calling for more assistance to Greece by other EU member states to deal with the refugee-migrant crisis. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)
ATHENS, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- European Ombudsman Emily O'Reilly on Wednesday called for more assistance to Greece by other EU member states to deal with the refugee-migrant crisis.
During a visit to Athens, the European official acknowledged that there is still a gap in solidarity shown within the EU, Greek national news agency AMNA reported.
During a press conference following a series of meetings with Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos and other Greek officials, O'Reilly stressed that on its part, the agency she heads is promoting transparency for the funding provided and ensures that people's fundamental rights are being protected.
"I investigated the role of Frontex, which is the (European) border agency, in relation to forced returns," she said, presenting an example of the Ombudsman's work.
In May 2015, at the peak of the migrant-refugee crisis, as thousands of people landed on Greek shores via the Aegean Sea every day, the European Ombudsman published a report calling on Frontex to clarify how it ensures respect for the fundamental rights of migrants who are subject to forced returns from the EU to their countries of origin.
Three years later, the European Ombudsman's office, in cooperation with the Greek Ombudsman, is still monitoring the situation.
"Our two bureaus are in constant contact and collaboration over all issues concerning the flows of refugees and migrants to our country," said Greek Ombudsman Andreas Pottakis.
More than one million people landed in Greece since early 2015 and continued their journey to other European countries until the closure of borders along the Balkan route in March 2016, when the EU-Turkey deal aimed to stem the influx was launched.
According to UNHCR data from March 2016 until January 2018, about 56,000 new arrivals to Greece were reported.
From April 2016 until January 2017, at least 1,484 people were returned to Turkey, with Frontex's support, including 539 returnees whose asylum bids were rejected. The rest had withdrawn their application or had not applied for asylum.
"In relation to fundamental rights I agree there is certainly a very important piece of knowledge that citizens should have. That is why I do my best to work with my colleagues in the network to raise awareness of the various agencies and institutions," O'Reilly stressed.
Her office receives on average 2,000 complaints per year and opens 300 inquiries, she added.
